Painture

New Growth (10x10x53) Sapele Wood and Acrylic on Panel

Deconstructing “New Growth In Fantasy Land”

“New Growth In Fantasy Land” is the newest piece to come out of my studio. It is being shown for the first time at Joseph Gierek Fine Art in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It is significant because it is a transitional piece in my body of work. My work could be categorized by the term Abstract Illusionism. I work with basic traditional abstract elements like color, form, composition, and space. I employ trompe l'oeil techniques in my paintings to manipulate the flat two-dimensional surface of my painting so it appears three-dimensional. This technique and my interests in space and spatial illusion are what prompted the title for this exhibition “Navigating Spaces.” This new piece does the same thing but it actually is three-dimensional. Along with my paintings I have a love of woodworking. So, it seemed natural to try to incorporate both mediums together. The first few attempts were definitely more two-dimensional and the wood became more decorative. But they did open more of a landscape concept in the work. This new piece is also a landscape with a definite division of sky and ground, but it goes much deeper conceptually and literally in a landscape mentality. The foreground is warm and earthy with under growth and over growth. It creates a fantasy world that is interesting and inviting. The sky is cool and aloof, which a wooden barrier created from Sapele Mahogany enhances. The base and cap are also constructed from the same Sapele hardwood. The sharpened dowels or spikes are reminiscent of thorns on roses. They are protectors of this hidden space.

The last major question, is this new piece a painting or sculpture? I can tell you that my primary goals, at least now, were definitely more painterly than sculptural and I still feel it is more of a painting. A good friend of mine said I should call it a painture but I think I’ll let you decide.